| Septic shock is a serious medical condition. During | | | | endotoxins which trigger the release of |
| septic shock, the body tissues and organs do not | | | | inflammatory mediators which causes vasodilation |
| get enough blood and oxygen. Septic shock may | | | | and increase in capillary permeability leading to |
| progress to cause "adult respiratory distress | | | | shock. |
| syndrome," in which fluid collects in the lungs, and | | | | Septic shock is a medical emergency. Prompt |
| breathing becomes very shallow and labored. | | | | treatment of bacterial infections is helpful. Septic |
| Septic shock occurs most often in the very old | | | | shock is treated initially with a combination of |
| and the very young. It also occurs in people who | | | | antibiotics and fluid replacement. Treatment |
| have other illnesses. Serious bacterial infections at | | | | primarily consists of antimicrobial chemotherapy, |
| any body site, with or without bacteremia, usually | | | | removal of the source of infection, and |
| are associated with important changes in the | | | | haemodynamic, respiratory, and metabolic |
| function of every organ system in the body. | | | | support. Coagulation and hemorrhage may be |
| Septic shock can lead to multiple organ failure | | | | treated with transfusions of plasma or platelets. |
| including respiratory failure, and may cause rapid | | | | Dopamine may be given to increase blood |
| death. Toxic shock syndrome is one type of | | | | pressure further if necessary. High doses of |
| septic shock. Septic shock is usually preceded by | | | | intravenous antibiotics are given as soon as blood |
| bacteremia, which is marked by fever, malaise, | | | | samples have been taken for laboratory cultures. |
| chills, and nausea. The first sign of shock is often | | | | Surgery may be performed to remove any dead |
| confusion and decreased consciousness. | | | | tissue, such as gangrenous tissue of the intestine. |
| Bacteremia may be primary (without an | | | | Despite all efforts, more than 25% of people with |
| identifiable focus of infection) or, more often, | | | | septic shock die. Corticosteroid therapy appears |
| secondary (with an intravascular or extravascular | | | | beneficial. Treatment is with replacement, rather |
| focus of infection). | | | | than pharmacologic, doses. Scrupulous aseptic |
| Septic shock occurs more often in neonates, | | | | technique on the part of medical professionals |
| patients > 35 yr, and pregnant women. Septic | | | | lowers the risk of introducing bacteria into the |
| shock is severe sepsis with organ hypoperfusion | | | | bloodstream. |
| and hypotension that are poorly responsive to | | | | Treatment for Septic Shock Tips |
| initial fluid resuscitation. The condition develops as | | | | 1. Antimicrobial chemotherapy, removal of the |
| a response to certain microbial molecules which | | | | source of infection, and haemodynamic, |
| trigger the production and release of cellular | | | | respiratory, and metabolic support. |
| mediators, such as tumor necrosis factors. Toxic | | | | 2. Corticosteroids, especially if combined with a |
| shock syndrome most often occurs in | | | | mineralocorticoid, can reduce mortality among |
| menstruating women using highly absorbent | | | | patients. |
| tampons. It occurs in about 40% of patients with | | | | 3. Activated protein C can reduce mortality in |
| gram-negative bacteremia and in about 20% of | | | | patients with multi-organ failure. |
| patients with Staphylococcus aureus bacteremia. | | | | 4. Coagulation and hemorrhage may be treated |
| Hyperventilation with respiratory alkalosis occurs | | | | with transfusions of plasma or platelets. |
| early, in part as compensation for lactic acidemia. | | | | 5. Dopamine may be given to increase blood |
| Serum HCO3 is usually low, and serum and blood | | | | pressure further if necessary. |
| lactate increase. One of the major causes of the | | | | 6. Surgery may be performed to remove any |
| condition leading to septic shock is infection by | | | | dead tissue, such as gangrenous tissue of the |
| gram negative organism. The cell walls contain | | | | intestine. |